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Ejim helps Iowa State past No. 7 Michigan

Nov 18, 2013 - 1:38 AM Ames, IA (SportsNetwork.com) - Melvin Ejim returned to the Iowa State lineup after missing the first two games of the season with a hyperextended knee and scored 22 points to lead the Cyclones to a 77-70 upset over seventh- ranked Michigan on Sunday.

Iowa State (3-0) trailed for most of the second half until Dustin Hogue's tip- in with 6:29 left put them in front, 64-62. Michigan (2-1) went cold down the stretch, missing seven shots in a row in the final two minutes to allow the Cyclones to put the game away.

Ejim came off the bench and provided an immediate spark, grabbing an offensive rebound that led to a putback layup before the first media timeout. The leading rebounder in the Big 12 a season ago contributed nine boards in the victory.

"I couldn't even put into words what it means having him (Melvin) back here," said forward Georges Niang. "It's just a new guy that brings 100 percent all the time."

Naz Long hit 4-of-6 from behind the arc en route to 16 points, while Marshall transfer DeAndre Kane netted 13 points to go with six assists. Hogue had 12 points and 10 rebounds as ISU won its 16th straight nonconference home game.

The loss spoiled the return of star big man Mitch McGary, who missed the first two games of the season with a lower back injury. McGary did not have quite the same impact as Ejim in his return, compiling nine points and four steals.

Nik Stauskas paced the Wolverines with 20 points and six assists.

"We were up there by a little bit with eight minutes to go," said Michigan head coach John Beilein. "We were going to have to make some open shots. We had some really good shots. It wasn't meant to be."

McGary scored four straight points midway through the first half. His steal and clever transition layup put the Wolverines in front, 17-11.

ISU ran off eight straight to narrow the gap, and a lob for Ejim in the closing seconds drew a foul for the Cyclones' star. He made a pair and the home team led 35-34 at the break.

Michigan opened the game 4-for-7 from 3-point range, but missed its next eight to conclude the half.

The Wolverines did not attempt a free throw in the opening 20 minutes, but went 3-for-6 in the early stages of the second.

Stauskas' corner three in front of the Michigan bench capped a 9-0 run 2:26 into the second half. The sophomore later silenced the crowd when he drove down the lane and threw down an emphatic slam dunk.

But things went downhill for the reigning National Champion runner-up after that. Kane's triple with 7:08 left tied the score at 62 apiece and Hogue's layup put ISU on top.

Long kept the momentum in the Cyclones' favor with a corner trey moments later. Michigan made one final push with a Stauskas three and Glenn Robinson III layup, but Niang scored four straight with a pair of free throws and a short jump-hook to extend the lead back to five with 1:15 left.

Game Notes

The all-time series is now tied, 5-5 ... Long is shooting 13-for-20 from 3- point range this season ... Niang registered 10 points, six rebounds and four assists ... Both teams had 12 turnovers ... All seven players to record minutes for Iowa State scored at least two points ... Michigan will meet Long Beach State in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off on Thursday. Iowa State looks to stay unbeaten when it visits BYU on Wednesday.